The ongoing collaboration between Albany International Corp., a global leader in materials processing and precision components, and Cyclezyme AB, a Swedish innovator in enzyme-based plastic recycling, has reached a significant technical milestone in the development of circular solutions for industrial textiles. Based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Albany International reported in June 2026 that the joint project has successfully demonstrated the depolymerization of complex industrial materials, specifically focusing on polyester and polyamide (nylon) fibers. This progress marks a critical shift in the management of technical textiles, which have historically been excluded from effective circular material flows due to their high-performance requirements and structural complexity.
The partnership leverages Cyclezyme’s proprietary enzymatic platform to break down synthetic polymers into their fundamental chemical building blocks. Unlike traditional mechanical recycling, which often results in "downcycling" or the degradation of fiber strength, enzymatic recycling—a form of advanced biochemical recycling—allows for the recovery of monomers that can be reintegrated into production cycles to create virgin-quality materials. This breakthrough is particularly relevant for the "Machine Clothing" sector, where Albany International maintains a dominant market position, providing essential consumable belts and fabrics for the global pulp and paper industry.
Technical Breakthroughs in Enzymatic Depolymerization
The core of the recent progress lies in Cyclezyme’s ability to optimize enzyme activity for specific industrial substrates. During the latest phase of the project, the Swedish firm successfully depolymerized selected material samples provided by Albany International. These samples represent the high-tenacity, chemically resistant fibers used in demanding industrial environments. The success of these trials proves that enzymatic processes can handle the robust molecular structures of industrial-grade polyester and nylon, which are designed to withstand high temperatures, moisture, and mechanical stress.
A notable achievement highlighted by the project team is the development and production of specialized nylon-degrading enzymes. While enzymatic recycling of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) has seen various stages of commercialization in the packaging industry, the degradation of polyamides like Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 has remained a significant technical hurdle. By expanding their platform to include nylon-specific enzymes, Cyclezyme and Albany International are addressing a massive gap in the textile recycling market.
The current work continues with the refinement of analytical methods to evaluate enzyme activity in real-time and the further optimization of the degradation efficiency. These technical refinements are necessary to ensure that the process is not only scientifically viable but also economically competitive with the production of virgin synthetic fibers derived from petrochemicals.
The Chronology of Innovation and Partnership
The relationship between Albany International and Cyclezyme AB has evolved through a structured, multi-year research and development framework. The project was initiated following a global search by Albany International for technologies that could address the end-of-life challenges of its high-performance products.
- Phase I: Feasibility and Scope (2024-2025): The initial stage focused on identifying the specific chemical compositions of Albany’s product lines that were most conducive to enzymatic treatment. This period involved extensive lab testing to determine if existing enzymes could survive the chemical finishes often applied to industrial textiles.
- Phase II: Optimization and Nylon Breakthrough (Late 2025 – Early 2026): Cyclezyme moved from generic polyester enzymes to specialized variants. The development of nylon-degrading enzymes became a priority during this phase, as nylon is a primary component in paper machine clothing (PMC) for its elasticity and durability.
- Phase III: Current Milestone (June 2026): The successful depolymerization of mixed-material streams and the initiation of discussions regarding industrial scaling. This phase confirms that the technology can handle the "multi-material" nature of industrial textiles, which often blend different polymers to achieve specific performance characteristics.
- Phase IV: Scaling and Industrial Integration (Upcoming): The companies are now looking toward pilot-scale facilities and the integration of recycled monomers back into Albany’s manufacturing supply chain.
Supporting Data: The Industrial Textile Waste Challenge
The scale of the problem this project aims to solve is immense. According to industry data, the global technical textile market is valued at over $200 billion, with a significant portion of these materials ending up in landfills or being incinerated at the end of their functional life. In the paper industry alone, thousands of tons of "Machine Clothing"—large-scale engineered fabrics used to transport and dewater paper webs—are replaced annually.
Traditional recycling methods struggle with these materials for several reasons:
- Contamination: Industrial textiles are often contaminated with resins, chemicals, or process debris.
- Fiber Blending: High-performance fabrics frequently use a blend of polyester for dimensional stability and nylon for abrasion resistance. Separating these mechanically is nearly impossible.
- Performance Loss: Mechanical shredding breaks the long polymer chains, making the resulting fiber unsuitable for high-stress industrial applications.
The enzymatic approach bypasses these issues. By using enzymes as "molecular scissors," the process selectively targets the polymer chains, ignoring non-plastic contaminants and allowing for the separation of polyester and nylon at the molecular level. Data from preliminary trials suggest that the recovered monomers maintain a purity level that allows for 100% reintegration into new polymer synthesis, effectively closing the loop.
Leadership Perspectives and Strategic Alignment
The leadership of both organizations has expressed a shared vision for the future of material science. Merle Stein, President of Machine Clothing at Albany International, emphasized the dual priority of performance and sustainability. "Along with performance, we know how important recycling capability is for our customers," Stein stated. He noted that while existing technologies often require a trade-off—limiting a product to a single material to facilitate recycling—Cyclezyme’s ability to handle both polyester and nylon allows Albany to continue optimizing product performance without compromising the end-of-life potential.
Peter Falck, CEO of Cyclezyme AB, highlighted the versatility of their platform. "The results strengthen our view that enzymatic recycling can become an important solution for more advanced textiles and industrial materials," Falck said. He pointed out that the success in developing nylon-degrading enzymes demonstrates the "breadth of our platform technology," suggesting that the applications could eventually extend beyond Albany’s specific needs to the broader plastics and textile sectors.
The initiation of discussions regarding the "next phase" indicates a shift from laboratory success to commercial strategy. For Albany International, this represents a significant competitive advantage as global paper manufacturers and construction firms face increasing pressure to report on and reduce their Scope 3 emissions (indirect emissions in the value chain).
Market Demand and Regulatory Drivers
The move toward circularity is not merely a corporate social responsibility initiative; it is a response to a rapidly changing regulatory environment. In the European Union, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) is setting new benchmarks for product durability, reusability, and recyclability. Similar trends are emerging in North America, where state-level Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are beginning to target non-packaging textiles.
Industrial customers are also driving this change. Major players in the pulp and paper industry have set ambitious "Net Zero" targets, and the consumables they purchase—like those manufactured by Albany International—are now under scrutiny. A circular solution for machine clothing would allow these customers to significantly reduce their solid waste footprint.
Furthermore, the economic implications of a circular flow are profound. By reclaiming monomers, manufacturers can hedge against the volatility of petrochemical markets. While the initial investment in enzymatic infrastructure is high, the long-term stabilization of raw material costs provides a compelling financial narrative for shareholders.
Broader Impact and Future Implications
The success of the Albany-Cyclezyme project could serve as a blueprint for other "hard-to-abate" textile sectors, such as automotive interiors, aerospace composites, and heavy-duty geotextiles. If nylon and polyester can be efficiently recycled at an industrial scale, the reliance on virgin fossil-fuel-based polymers could be drastically reduced.
As the project moves into the optimization of analytical methods, the focus will turn to "bioprocess engineering." This involves designing reactors that can handle the large volumes of textile waste generated by industrial processes and ensuring the enzymes remain stable and active over multiple cycles.
The partnership also underscores a growing trend of "Transatlantic Innovation," where American industrial giants partner with specialized European biotech firms to solve complex environmental challenges. By combining Albany International’s deep knowledge of material applications with Cyclezyme’s expertise in protein engineering, the collaboration is bridging the gap between theoretical green chemistry and practical industrial application.
In conclusion, the progress reported in June 2026 marks a pivotal moment for the technical textile industry. The ability to depolymerize both polyester and nylon through enzymatic means offers a viable pathway to true circularity. As Albany International and Cyclezyme AB move toward scaling this technology, the industrial world watches closely, anticipating a future where high-performance materials are no longer synonymous with permanent waste. The project continues on schedule, with the next set of evaluations focusing on additional material streams and the economic modeling of full-scale industrial implementation.
